The sky is blue, the sun is out, and while I will not believe that winter is gone until I see tulips, I am hopeful nonetheless. March came in like a lion and on its way out yesterday managed to leave like one too, slamming the door with a trifecta of hail and snow and driving rain.

I have a lunch today with a former client whose book deal I negotiated — the book sold for so little that I couldn’t bear to charge him, so lunch is my fee. I don’t trust the weather enough to yet deviate from winter black, so I’ll rely yet again on black trousers, but I will wear a new blue blouse from Joie, which I like because it’s not entirely chambray, but has that vibe if you want. Also, my trench coat will get its first wearing of the year. Baby steps.